Installing a new garage door on your home or business is not the time to break out YouTube and attempt a DIY to save a few bucks. In order for a door to function properly, it needs to be installed or repaired perfectly, which is why it is in your best interest to hire professional door installation Pittsburgh . Additionally, garage doors can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing, which is why it is in your best interest to hire the professionals. Here are 4 other reasons why you should call in the professionals to install your garage door!

Experience

While a video found on the Internet may give the illusion that installing a garage door yourself is easy, in reality, it’s not as easy as it appears. Most videos are of professionals who have years of experience, which is what allows them to make it look like a simple project. With no experience, installing a door can be quite challenging and dangerous. Professionals are highly trained and are equipped with the necessary skills and tools required to complete the job. Professionals will not only ensure that the door is installed correctly, but they will also save you a lot of time and frustration!

Correct Parts and Tools

When you hire a professional to install your door, you can rest assured that you will be sure to have the correct opener and parts for your door based on the size and weight. When you have the right opener for your door, you can avoid the hassle of having to change it later to work with your door. Not to mention, professionals will have all of the necessary tools to be able to handle your installation, which means that it will be done quickly and correctly, allowing for your door to work correctly. There are many intricate parts that go into ensuring that your door is installed properly and will function flawlessly. This includes the correct alignment of the photo eye, proper wiring, proper securing of the door opener, and properly installed pulleys, springs and cables. The weight of the door needs to be properly balanced as well.

Safety

There are many safety concerns when it comes to installing doors. This is especially true when working with the springs. Aside from the springs, the doors themselves are heavy, large, and awkward to manipulate, which makes them dangerous. In addition to the door itself, the opener requires working with electricity, and requires training to know how to safely work with electricity to install. Following installation, the professionals will be able to test the door, ensuring that all the safety measures are working properly.

Warranties

The nice thing about garage doors, is that most come with a warranty; however, there is a catch. In order for the warranty to be valid, the door must be installed by a professional. If you attempt to install or repair the door yourself, chances are you will void the warranty. Don’t risk losing your warranty by trying to do the work yourself.

The professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors know what it takes to accurately perform door installation Pittsburgh. Don’t trust your garage door needs to just anybody, trust the experts at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors. With years of experience, we know how to work on various types of doors, and guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with our work when we are done!

Picking out the right awning to complement your home or business is more involved than just saying you want an awning. There are different types of awnings, materials, colors, etc. that need to be considered. Choosing the right awnings Pittsburgh can help to minimize heating and cooling cost by protecting windows from outside elements. Below is a list of things that you need to consider to ensure that you get the right awning to meet your needs.

• Size: The right size will keep the appearance of your home or business looking balanced, and pleasing to look at.

• Style: With different styles to choose from, it is important to select the style that will complement or work with the existing style of your home or office.

• Material: Awnings come in various materials—canvas, vinyl, aluminum or plastic. Some materials are better able to protect your windows than others. The same goes for the amount of sunlight that is allowed to enter your home. This will be dependent on the material that your awning is made of.

• Pre-Assembled: Retractable awnings come pre-assembled and are ready to be installed. When you purchase a retractable awning, all of the necessary mechanisms will be included and will be in good working order.

• Customizable: Awnings can be customized by color, style, and material. Awnings can be customized to the specific size of your window to provide maximum coverage. The awning that you design should complement your home or office and provide you with added curb appeal.

To find the perfect awnings Pittsburgh, check out Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors . At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, we’ve been providing Pittsburgh homeowners and business owners with beautiful, quality awnings that enhance their property and provide protection from the elements. Come in and talk to us today and learn how we can help you find the perfect awning for your home or office!

Having a garage door is convenient, yet at the same time a garage door is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home. Because Pittsburgh garage doors can leave your home vulnerable to break-ins, we’ve compiled a list of safety tips to secure your garage door and protect your home from potential break-ins.

1. Be sure to know your neighbors. Nosy neighbors can be a huge deterrent for wannabe burglars. When you leave town for the weekend, or for an extended vacation, will your neighbors be wary of suspicious vehicles in your driveway or your garage door being open? If you don’t know your neighbors, will they even notice that you are out of town? If not, be sure to get to know your neighbors long before you’ll need them to keep an eye on things.

2. Be sure to keep your garage door closed at all times. While this might seem like an obvious safety measure to take, many homeowners leave their garage doors open frequently. This not only leaves your home vulnerable to break-ins, but it also advertises what you have stored in your garage. Potential thieves love it when you leave your garage door open, making their job easier.

3. Hide your garage door remote. Many homeowners who have a garage door remote have it clipped to the visor in their car. While having it clipped to your visor is convenient for you, it is time to move the remote where it isn’t so easily seen. When your remote is in plain sight, like on your visor, this makes it easier for a potential thief to steal it out of your car, especially if your car is sitting in the driveway unlocked.

4. Lock the door to your house. All homes have a door that leads from the garage into the living part of the house. Many homeowners leave this door unlocked, due to the false security that they feel when their garage door is closed. This makes it easy for thieves who make it into your garage to walk right into your house without any deterrent from your locked door. Not only are you making it easy for someone to break into your home by leaving the door open, but they will also be concealed inside your garage, shielding them from people driving passed your home.

If you feel as though it is time to update your Pittsburgh garage doors to enhance your home’s security, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today. With a wide selection of doors, operators, and accessories available, you are guaranteed to not only find a door that will add some curb appeal to your home, but you will enhance the security of your home as well. Don’t put off securing your home and garage door, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today!

Investing in a new garage door is a big purchase that homeowners have to make when their current garage door stops working. In some cases, you might be able to save some money by just repairing your existing door, in other cases a new door is necessary. Because homeowners don’t have to purchase new residential garage doors often, we’ve compiled a list of 5 questions that you should ask before you commit to purchasing a new garage door.

1. What is the architecture of your home?

Is your home a Victorian style? Bungalow? Ranch/rambler? Or more modern? Despite the architecture of your home, there is a garage door design that can complement your home including: classic, rustic, all glass, wood or metal. Each style and material have their own advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into consideration prior to making a final decision. It is important to remember that because a garage door comprises a vast majority of the exterior of your home, your home’s design will be the most important aspect to consider.

2. How much insulation are you going to need or want in your door?

Will your garage be used for other activities besides parking your car (i.e., game room, additional living space, craft space, storage, etc.)? If you plan on utilizing the space in your garage for anything other than parking your car, you are going to want the best insulation possible. You’ll also want to ensure that you are getting the best seals for your garage door and its components.

3. What is your budget to replace your garage door?

Aside from the house design, budget is another important aspect to consider when selecting a new garage door. In some instances, it is possible to replace a garage door for less than $1,000. But adding insulation, design or windows in your garage door, or a new opener & other parts will increase the cost.

4. Are you going to want a door opener?

Most homeowners desire to have a door opener, especially on days with inclement weather. In fact, due to modern technology, garage door openers are keeping up with the evolving technology. Some openers can now be operated with a smart phone.

5. What size is your garage door?

If you are building a new construction, you’ll be able to choose the style and size of door that you prefer and will work best for your unique situation. If you are replacing a door, be sure to get accurate measurements before purchasing your door. Most manufactures produce garage doors in uniform sizes and one-inch increments to accommodate custom size door openings.

If you are ready to replace your residential garage doors, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today. With a wide selection of garage doors to choose from, you are sure to find the right door that will complement your style. We guarantee that you’ll be glad that you got your new doors from Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors!

Having automatic garage doors is something that most often we take for granted amidst our busy lives. While they provide us with easy access to our homes, and protection for our vehicles, do you know how to operate your door in case the power goes out?

Some people might panic, trying to figure out how they will get their car in or out. Forget about your vehicle, others might be concerned with trying to figure out how they will gain access to their home. Are you going to have to pay a service charge to have a professional garage door service company come out and open your door? Thankfully, the answer is no! Once you know what to do, opening your automatic door when the power is out is easy!

Enable the Bypass

Most automatic doors are equipped with a bypass function, that allows you to disengage the automatic opener and operate the door manually. For most doors, the bypass function is a rope that is hanging down from your doors opener system.

When you pull down on this rope, the opener is then disengaged from the automatic system that is rendered useless due to the power outage. It is recommended that you only engage the bypass when your garage door is in the closed position, as the weight of the door could cause it to slam down; potentially injuring or damaging to objects, animals, or people that are standing nearby.

Once you have enabled your doors bypass, you are then able to operate your door manually. While this is not ideal, and requires more effort on your part, don’t let the power outage prevent you from using your garage as you normally would.

What to do when the power is restored?

When the power is restored to your home, you’ll need to reattach your garage door to the automatic opener. Just like when you enabled the bypass, you’ll need to pull down on the rope again. Once you have pulled on the rope, you’ll need to pull up on the door until you hear or feel it snap back into place. If you prefer, you can also push the button on your remote. This option will allow for you to see the spring attachment reconnect once the opener reaches a certain point.

When the power goes out, there is a possibility that your door may fail to engage with the operator again. If this happens it is important to call a professional garage door repair technician to hook your door back up.

Safety First

Even with the power out, your garage doors are still an extremely heavy object in your home. It is important to practice safety measures around your door, especially when manually operating the door. While it is possible to disengage and engage your door, never put your safety or the safety of others above a working garage door. A few hours of inconvenience are not worth the potential risk to your safety.

At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors we have expert technicians who are able to help with any garage door problems that you might be experiences. Whether you are needing service, maintenance, repair or a complete replacement, we have the knowledge to get you what you need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for all your garage door needs!

When looking to update your home, adding an awning might not be something that you have considered before. Adding Pittsburgh awnings can not only improve your homes curb appeal, but it can also provide you with some additional benefits as well.

Improved Energy Efficiency

It is not uncommon for homeowners to cringe when they receive their monthly utility bill. Some homeowners will often try to find ways to cut down on cost and save money. One way to effectively do this, is to cut down the amount of direct sunlight that comes into your home. This is where having awning installed on your home, come into play. An awning over your windows can cut down on the amount of heat that is transferred into your home.

In the summer months, it is ideal to block some of the heat from the sun from entering your home, the complete opposite happens during the winter months. For homeowners who want to best of both words, should invest in a retractable awning. Retractable awnings provide homeowners with the flexibility that they want to control the amount of heat and sunlight that enters through their windows.

Minimize Harmful UV Damage

Harmful UV damage happens so subtly that most people don’t even notice that there is damage until after the damage is already done. The most common aspects of a room to be damaged from the harmful UV rays include: flooring, wallpaper, fabrics, and hanging pictures. Generally, you won’t be able to notice the difference, until you compare an item side-by-side another item that hasn’t been in direct sunlight. It is easy to preserve your furnishings by installing an awning over your window to filter out those harmful rays.

Additional Space

During the warm summer months, many homeowners like to live outside on their decks and patios; essentially having an extension to their living space. These places are often gather places for friends and family to eat, BBQ, and enjoy each other’s company. An awning is a great addition to cover and protect your additional living area, keep things shaded and cooled so that you can enjoy being outside, even during the heat of the day!

Improve Curb Appeal

When selecting the right awning for your home, there are a wide selection of materials and styles to select from. Find the right style that will complement your home, and you’ll have a more inviting and charming home.

If you’ve decided that the added benefits from having an awning installed on your home is the right decision for you, contact the experts at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors to get started on selecting your perfect Pittsburgh awnings!

Having a garage door that opens and closes on command with the push of a button is something that most homeowners take for granted. In fact, relying on your garage door to always open when you need it to, can result in some serious problems when something breaks and doesn’t work the way that it should. When a mechanical garage door breaks, there is the possibility that you could get locked out of your home when you lose access to a working garage door. While garage door problems are not that unheard of, some problems are more common than others. We’ve outlined three of the most common Pittsburgh garage door repair that we encounter.

Garage Door Won’t Open at All

When you push the button on your garage door controller, you expect your door to respond to the coordinating command. While this is expected, this doesn’t mean that it always happens which could be the result of a number of different reasons. The first thing to check is the batteries in your remote to ensure that they are still good and working. If your batteries need to be replaced, and your door still isn’t working, you could have problems with your cables, tracks, the motor or sensor. To get your door repaired and back to fully working condition, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors.

Loud Screeching and Grinding when Opening or Closing Your Door

When your garage door starts to make loud screeching, and grinding noises it is generally annoying. While it might be tempting to ignore the sounds, and try to get used to them, there is generally a simple solution to fix the problem. The cause of the noise is generally caused by dirt or debris that has collected in the tracks, or a lack of lubrication. To fix the problem, clean the tracks and lubricate the relevant parts with an oil or lubrication that is specifically designed for garage doors. If you would prefer not to perform your Pittsburgh garage door repair yourself, the professional technicians at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors are happy to assist!

Broken Torsion Spring

When your torsion spring breaks, you will know it! When torsion springs break, they sound like a loud firework that has been set off in your garage. It is natural for springs to break, due to the limited number of uses that each spring is designed to withstand. When your torsion spring breaks, do not attempt to repair it yourself. Always call a professional to come and do the repair work for you, as torsion springs are very dangerous to work with, due to the high amount of tension they contain when wound.

At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors , we have years of experience in helping homeowners will all of their garage door repair needs. If you are in need of a new garage door, or repair for any type of garage door, call the professionals today!

As any homeowner will know, overhead doors are the largest, heaviest, moving object in your home. These doors are generally used multiple times a day, giving you enough reason to pay attention to the general care and maintenance of each door in your home. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, knows that large rolling doors can be extremely dangerous when not well maintained, and in proper working order. Therefore, we’ve provided a list of safety tips to ensure that you and your family are protected.

Garage Door Safety Tips

• Mount garage door openers and control buttons out of reach of small children. It is recommended they be placed at least 5 feet from the floor, and in a location where you can have a clear view of the door at all times.
• Garage door remotes are not toys; therefore, it is imperative that young children do not play with the remotes.
• Set a good example for small children, show and explain to them how to operate a door safely.
• Know how to use your doors emergency release feature.
• Do not attempt to perform repairs to your door yourself. This could lead to serious injury and damage.
• Visually inspect your door on a regular basis. Check the springs, cables, rollers, and pulleys for signs of wear. If you spot any areas of concern contact the professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors for service and repairs.

While garage doors provide easy access to your home, they can also pose a security risk when not properly secured. We’ve provided a list of tips on how to secure your garage door, to protect your home and your possessions.

Garage Door Security Tips

• When leaving for an extended period of time on vacation, be sure to unplug the garage door opener unit, or use the vacation mode. This will prevent your garage door from being opened by remotes and unwanted visitors.
• For enhanced security, consider purchasing a garage door opener with rolling code technology. This technology changes the access code for the garage door opener each time the transmitter is used.
• Wireless keypads allow for users to open the overhead door with the use of a PIN. This feature allows for family and those with the PIN to open the door without the use of a key or remote. It is important to never share your PIN with anyone other than family. Don’t leave the PIN written down where it can be found and used by anyone.
• Do not leave your garage remote in your car, or with a parking attendant. It is important to treat your garage remote with the same level of security as your house key.
• Be sure that the door leading from your garage into your home is always locked. This will provide you with greater security and safety.
• Before going to bed for the night, check to make sure that your garage door is closed and your entry door is locked.

By following these simple safety and security tips, your garage door can serve a useful purpose in protecting your home. If you are ever looking to upgrade your garage door, or needs repairs or service, contact the professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors !